The Houthi rebel group in Yemen promised to step up attacks for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in a recent statement. The pledge came as the group accelerated its attacks on civilian shipping and international warships around the Red Sea in recent weeks.
A Houthi spokesperson said that the group would “continue our operations and many of our fundamental and necessary activities must continue.” The group also said that it would continue their “retaliatory strikes in the Red Sea.”
The group said that its fighters are “doing a great and epic job. They are treading the righteous path.”
The Houthis have launched dozens of attacks against civilian and military vessels following the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October.
The Houthi promise also comes amid a surge of attacks in the region, including the first confirmed fatalities from its missile strikes on neutral shipping.
According to the Pentagon, the rebels struck the cargo vessel M/V True Confidence last week. The blast left three sailors dead and four injured.
U.S. Central Command has released a Statement as well as an Image showing today’s Houthi Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Attack on the Flagged and U.S/Liberian-Owned Cargo Ship, M/V True Confidence in the Gulf of Aden off the Coast of Yemen, with 3 Sailors now Confirmed to be Dead… pic.twitter.com/lpZAuFRZOw
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 7, 2024
Following the attack on the civilian ship, the United States launched a number of strikes on Houthi drones that the Pentagon said represented an imminent threat to nearby U.S. Navy ships.
Both the U.S. and French navies shot down a number of Houthi drones targeting their vessels last week.
The Houthis reportedly fired several dozen drones at the vessels, which received a response from the international forces in the region.
The Houthis claimed that they utilized 37 drones against American ships.
The Pentagon reported shooting down at least 28 drones over the Red Sea. U.S. Central Command stated that the navy sustained no damage or injuries from the attack.
Separately, a French vessel and warplanes shot down four Houthi drones headed toward its assets. The French Navy said that this “defensive action” was directly related to protecting the M/V True Confidence.
The British Royal Navy also reported stopping a Houthi drone attack, shooting down two drones utilizing the HMS Richmond.
